Emanuel says Obama accountable for economy

Mayor Rahm Emanuel hit the national airwaves today to defend his former boss and said President Barack Obama faces a re-election challenge because Americans will hold him accountable for the economy.

Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” which was taped in Chicago, Emanuel also had the opportunity to plug what he views as his biggest accomplishments during his first five months in office.

The broadcast focused largely on the national economy and Obama’s re-election prospects. Host David Gregory asked Emanuel how Obama “gets his swagger back” and how the President will fair in the 2012 campaign, based on the state of the economy.

“Well, there's no doubt there's a challenge politically, because the economy is not where the American middle class family needs it to be for their bottom line,” Emanuel said.

Obama is accountable for that, just as every elected official in public life is, Emanuel said. The mayor noted the president doesn’t create jobs, but creates “conditions for jobs to take hold.”

He credited Obama for stabilizing the economy and making the “tough decisions, the right decisions” when it came bailing out the auto industry and investing in public works projects.

“I often advised the president about doing the quick political thing,” Emanuel said of his time as White House chief of staff. “And he looked at the long term. And he rejected the quick and political because it was in America's interest. That's both true about financial reform, health care, the bigger decisions.”

Emanuel also used the broadcast to hit the talking points that have become a regular part of his media appearances, focusing on safer streets, stronger schools and more stable finances.

The Sunday talk show also featured Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. and a pair of Illinois congressmen, Democrat Luis Guiterrez of Chicago and Republican Aaron Schock of Peoria.

Meet the Press came to Chicago to kick off “Chicago Ideas Week”, a program featuring high-profile speakers on topics including technology, innovation, politics and art. Venture capitalist Brad Keywell, a founder of Groupon, is one of the key forces behind the event.